Isotechnika Inc has been granted a deed of letters patent from the Australian Patent and Trademark Office regarding its novel immunosuppressive compound, ISA247. This application has been issued Australian Patent No. 750245, titled "Deuterated Cyclosporine Analogs and their use as Immunomodulating Agents". Australia becomes the third jurisdiction to issue a patent for ISA247 joining Canada and New Zealand, which issued their patents in late 2001.

ISA247 is a next generation calcineurin inhibitor in Phase II clinical development as immunosuppressive therapy in organ transplantation and in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Early studies indicate that ISA247 is considerably more potent and less toxic compared to other immunosuppressants in this drug class, such as cyclosporine A. This compelling combination of reduced toxicity and improved potency would give a major therapeutic benefit over existing calcineurin based treatments. ISA247 is being developed under a global collaboration agreement with Roche.

"The issuance of this patent is another important milestone for the Company," stated Koziak. "This patent provides further recognition of the proprietary position of our novel immunosuppressive therapy in another significant market for transplantation and autoimmune diseases."